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Seattle U UW-Seattle PLU Bradley Butler George Fox University Purdue Trine University Whitworth University DePauw Lewis University UE| Valparaiso University | Seattle Pacific University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Valpo | SPU | ||
| Location | Valparaiso, IN | Seattle, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 2,846 | 2,659 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #363 | #246 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | Lutheran Church in America | Free Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | valpo.edu | spu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Valpo | SPU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $45,136 | $37,965 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $45,136 | $37,965 | ||
| Room & Board | $13,306 | $15,498 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $23,168 | $26,155 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $34,326 | $28,070 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 98% |
Admission |
Valpo | SPU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 6,133 | 2,806 | ||
| Admitted | 5,656 | 2,556 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.2% | 91.1% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.5% | 14.9% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.76 | 3.53 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Challenging | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 25/30 | 20/28 | ||
| SAT Range | 1080/1310 | 1050/1320 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jul 11, 2026 |
Academics |
Valpo | SPU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Valpo | SPU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 71% | 74% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $54,000 | $50,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 77% | 82% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,603 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $264 |
Diversity |
Valpo | SPU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 10% | 6% | ||
| % Women | 11% | 16% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 61% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 4% | ||
| % Hispanic | 8% | 10% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 8% | ||
| % International | 7% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 1% |
Students |
Valpo | SPU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 55% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 43% | 26% | ||
Campus |
Valpo | SPU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Valparaiso University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (2,846 students vs. 2,659 students)
Valpo vs. SPU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Valpo or SPU?
- Valparaiso University is 18.9% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($45,136.00 vs. $37,965.00)
- Out of state tuition is 18.9% higher at Valpo than Seattle Pacific University ($45,136.00 vs. $37,965.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Valparaiso University than SPU ($23,168 vs. $26,155)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valparaiso University are 16.5% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($13,306 vs. $15,498)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Valparaiso University than Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Valparaiso University students is 22.3% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($34,326 vs. $28,070)
Valpo vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Valpo or SPU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SPU or Valpo .
- The average SAT score at Valparaiso University (1159) is 14 points higher than at SPU (1145)
- Incoming Valpo students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at SPU (26)
- Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at SPU (3.53)
- Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than SPU (91.1%)
Valpo vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Valpo or SPU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SPU and Valpo.
- The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Valparaiso University (74% vs. 71%)
- Graduates from Valparaiso University earn on average $3,600 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($54,000 vs. $50,400)
- Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Valpo graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
- SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Valpo graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
- More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Valpo students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/